Deuteronomy 4-6 Commandments

Thoughts

Deuteronomy 4

Moses starts the chapter with a call to obedience. Obedience will bring life, possession of the land, and make Israel wise among the nations.

Verse 7 “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?”

Do not add or take away from God’s commands

Moses recalls how God punished those who worshiped Baal at Peor and how God spoke from fire and cloud.

Israel saw no physical form of God but they must not make idols. Idolatry will bring destruction, scattering among nations, and suffering. If they seek the Lord, they will find Him.

Moses asks if any nation has ever heard God speak or seen such mighty acts. God’s power and deliverance of Israel show that He alone is God. Israel must keep His commands.

Reminder of the three cities of refuge east of the Jordan (they are not yet able to put the three cities on the other side)

This then concludes the first sermon. Now Moses will transition into the law-giving section (known as the second sermon)

Deuteronomy 5 The 10 Commandments

The phrase used in verse 2 is “The Lord our God cut (כָּרַת karat) with us a covenant (בְּרִית berit) at Horeb”

1. God declares that He is the LORD who brought Israel out of Egypt, and they must have no other gods besides (not just before!) Him.
2. They must not make or worship any idols or images of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters.
3. They must not misuse or take the LORD’s name in vain.
4. They are to keep the Sabbath day holy by resting, as God commanded.
5. They must honor their father and mother so that their lives may be long and blessed in the land God gives them.
6. They must not murder.
7. They must not commit adultery.
8. They must not steal.
9. They must not give false testimony against others.
10. They must not covet anything that belongs to their neighbor, including a spouse, house, land, servant, ox, donkey, or any possession.

vs 25b: “If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die” God is so Holy – we are not. The people ask for Moses as a mediator.

God desires Israel to have an obedient heart and that they will keep His commandments. These should be passed down from generation to generation.

Deuteronomy 6 The Greatest Commandment

Israel’s prosperity dependent on their obedience to God (long life and blessing in the Promised Land)

They are to teach these laws to their children and obey so it will go well with them.

The Shema is one of the most central passages in the entire Old Testament and in Jewish faith and tradition. It comes from Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and is recited daily by observant Jews.
Shema (“Hear” or “Listen and obey.”):
שְׁמַעיִשְׂרָאֵליְהוָהאֱלֹהֵינוּיְהוָהאֶחָד.
וְאָהַבְתָּאֵתיְהוָהאֱלֹהֶיךָבְּכָללְבָבְךָוּבְכָלנַפְשְׁךָוּבְכָלמְאֹדֶךָ.
Shema Yisrael, YHWH Eloheinu, YHWH echad.
Ve’ahavta et YHWH Eloheikha b’khol levavkha, u’v’khol nafshekha, u’v’khol me’odekha.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Jesus mentioned the Shema in Matthew 22:37

It is mentioned numerous times to teach their children these commands: Continually talk about them at home, on the road, when lying down and rising up. Bind them as signs on their hands and foreheads, and write them on the doorframes and gates.

Some practices including tefillin and mezuzot apply this verse:

-Tefillin are small black leather boxes with straps, worn during weekday morning prayers. One box is strapped to the arm (pointed toward the heart), and one is placed on the forehead (above the eyes). Each box contains scrolls of parchment with four Torah passages, including the Shema (Deut 6:4–9 and 11:13–21) and Exodus 13:1–16.

-Mezuzot is a small case fixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes (and often every room). Inside is a rolled parchment scroll with the Shema passages (Deut 6:4–9 and 11:13–21). When entering or leaving, many touch or kiss the mezuzah as a reminder of God’s commands and presence. The case often has the Hebrew letter ש (Shin) on it, standing for Shaddai (“Almighty”).

When Israel enters the land with abundant cities, houses, wells, and vineyards they didn’t build or plant, they must not forget the Lord.

Israel is warned not to test God as they did at Massah.

Again a reminder to teach our children: when children ask why they keep these laws, parents must recount the story of God delivering Israel from Egypt and bringing them into the land.

Questions

How do we add or take away from God’s commands today?

What is the thick gloom/darkness God had around Him?

Why was Israel so terrified of hearing God’s voice directly, even though they had seen His power before?

Application

The verses that stood out to me were in Deuteronomy 6:10–15, where God tells Israel to remember Him even when life is good. We usually hear about needing to cling to God when life is hard and everything feels heavy, but I actually struggle more when things are going well. My prayer life slows down because I don’t feel like I “need” Him as much when I’m not hurting or struggling. These verses remind me that when I’m living in “houses full of good things I didn’t fill, drinking from cisterns I didn’t dig, and enjoying vineyards and olive trees I didn’t plant,” I still need to stop, recognize where those blessings come from, and thank God instead of ignoring Him. Sometimes I wonder if God has certain things happen in my life to give me more opportunities to come to Him.